Beijing PM2.5 density exceeds national leveL

Beijing, Jan 4 (IANS) Chinese capital Beijing’s average PM2.5 density in 2015 was more than double the official level targeted nationwide, an official said on Monday.

Despite Beijing’s attempts to limit air pollution, the average PM2.5 reading stood at 80.6 micrograms per cubic metre, 1.3 times more than the national standard, Zhang Dawei, director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Centre (BMEMC), said.

However, the reading has seen a year-on-year drop of 6.2 percent, Xinhua news agency reported

With a diametre of less than 2.5 micrometres, PM2.5 is particulate matter that causes hazardous smog.

Beijing only saw 186 days with air quality meeting the national standard, statistics from the BMEMC showed.

Air pollution was particularly severe in November and December, with the capital shrouded in foul air for 22 days, 15 days more than the same period last year. During the period, average PM 2.5 density hit 239 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the BMEMC.